The Cape to Cape track is on the stunning coast of south west of Western Australia. This is a hike that will have the walker experiencing some of the most spectacular breathtaking coastal terrain of rugged cliffs, sandy white beaches, coastal heath-lands as well as some beautiful forests. Western Australia’s south west is a unique biodiversity hot spot, (there are only 34 hot spots in the world) and one very much worth exploring and there is no better way to explore than by walking it. If walked in Springtime (September through to November) expect to be walking in one of nature’s best gardens with the region coming alive with colour and beauty of the unique wildflowers of this region. If you are hiking in the month of May keep your eyes peeled off the coast, this is when the Humpback and Southern Right whales migrate their way north to the warmer waters and return from late September through to December back to the cooler waters of the south.

For 128.km you can experience all that it has to offer on walking the Cape to Cape hiking track. The track runs between Cape Naturaliste and Cape Leeuwin.  This spectacular coastal hike can be experienced in sections from day walks to even walking the full track over a period of a week.

Snap Shots of the Cape 2 Cape you can see our Snap shots of this great walk.

This is the Cape to Cape Track which is situated in the southwest of Western Australia. The trail is 128.55 km and starts at the Lighthouse of Cape Naturaliste and finishes south at the Lighthouse of Cape Leeuwin. On the Cape to Cape you will expect to find the track relatively easy to follow as it hugs the coastline while every now and then heads inland giving some variety for you to experience. You can walk this comfortably in 7 days, giving yourself time to really enjoy what it has to offer. A lot of people like to do sections at a time. There is the choice of camping along the way with some water tanks to refill your water supply, though do be aware the tanks can at times run dry and creek water must be treated. There also tour operators that will provide drop off and pickup from the trail as well as organise accommodation packages.

You can order your Cape to Cape Guidebook HERE. The Capes Guidebook is a handy pocket sized, hiker friendly guidebook with all the info you may need. 

You can find more information on this if you go to Friends of the Cape to Cape @ www.capetocapetrack.com

I would recommend that anyone wanting to walk this trail be relatively fit and prepared to walk in some soft sand. The trail is a mix of paths, you will be walking on dirt tracks, rocky paths, climbing rocky sections, some 4WD tracks, soft sand walking and some are up dunes. I won’t lie it can challenge the legs at times but well worth the effort. Do also carry enough supplies especially water!  Australia can be quite hot and harsh at the best of times and water can be hard to find. I would recommend to take at least 3litres per day. Don’t think you can restock along the way because you it’s not reliable. The campsites have tanks but as I said before you can not rely on them, especially if its been an extra hot summer. There are a few towns along the way you could restock with food and water and for the coffee lovers get a well-earned cuppa.

Maps and Guidebooks

I have now released a hiker friendly pocket sized guidebook.  It has all the useful information you will require for hiking the Cape to Cape track, to find out more about this guidebook go to The Capes. I recommend you purchase to maps to go along with the book these can be picked up from Visitor Centres and local hiking stores. They also available online.

Signage

The trail markers are metal directional markers that are blue, yellow and white. The symbol represents the ocean, land and trail. They are found on pine posts, also the occasional wooden sign posts at the entry and exit points at the road intersections and beaches.

Campsites

 There are two types of campsites on this trail. There are 4 Cape to Cape sites, with no fees, and 3 National Park sites, where fees apply. The campsites are as follows:

• Mt. Duckworth Campsite, 10.8 km, C2C site, has toilet, picnic table, water tank, no shelter.
• Moses Rock Campsite, 34.3 km, C2C site, has toilet, picnic table, water tank, no shelter.
• Ellensbrook Campsite, 53.8 km, C2C site, has toilet, picnic table, water tank, no shelter.
• Conto Campsite, 82.4 km, Nat/Park site, water is available.
• Point Road Campsite, 84.1 km, Nat/Park site, no water.
• Boranup Campsite, off track , down Grace Rd (4WD track) onto Boranuo Drive.
• Deepdene Campsite, 112.75 km, C2C site, has toilet, picnic table, water tank, no shelter.

Best time to go and weather

Always keep updated on the weather and when it is the best time to go on any trail that you are planning, as well as staying informed while you are walking.  Summertime can be quite warm for walking, with temperatures getting to the mid 30°C and winter can get quite wet and windy, especially on the cliff and beach sections, though the temperatures average around a nice 14°C. Spring and Autumn are always a great time to walk.  For weather information in the southwest of Western Australia  you can go to www.bom.gov.au. www.weatherzone.com.au   For alerts also check dpaw.wa.gov.au

Transport

There is no direct public transport access to the track, though there are daily bus services to the nearby towns of Dunsborough, Busselton and Margaret River. You could however get a taxi from these towns to the the start of the trail. .

Some further information you can check out these sites;

South West Coachlines- http://www.southwestcoachlines.com.au  or Ph. 08 9261 7600

TransWA- www.transwa.wa.gov.au  1300 662 205

Some accommodations will offer drop of and pick ups for their guests. Pays to ask.

Happy Trails